Slush trap



Jan. 30,- 1951 Filed April 6, 1948 Fig./.

Alfred F oenc Duchesneau IN VEN TOR.

Patented Jan. 30, 1951 UNITED SLUSH TRAP Alfred Frederic Duchesneau,tiile Lasalie, Quebec, Canada Appiication April 6, 1948, Seiiai No.19,239

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a sedimentary attachment for a liquid tankthat is particulariy adapted for use in association with a liquid. fueltank, such as a gasoline tank or a motor vehicle or for use with thecrank case of a motor vehicle.

The primary object of this invention is to remove any sediment from theiiquid in a tank, without disturbing the quantity or quality of theliquid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sedimentary chamber incommunication With a iiquid fuel tank, which is adapted to receive bgravitation an sediment in the tank and to provide means in associationwith the chamber for forcing the sediment from the chamher, withoutinterf&rin with the quality or quantity of the fuel contained in thetank.

A meritorious feature of this invention resides in the provision of achamber secured to a liquid fuel tank and having a sediment gravitationopening between the chamber and the tank, the chamber being providedwith an outlet tube and an inlet tube, whereupon air forced through theinlet tube Will urge or force the sediment from the chamber through theoutlet tube.

Another meritorious feature of this invention resides in the provisionof a flexible valve, adapt ed to close off the opening between the tankand the chamber, responsive to the forcing of the sediment from thechamber, so that the liquid in the tank is prevented tronc leaving thetank.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sedimt;nt removingattachment for a liquid tank, which is eeonomical to manufacture, easilyand quickly attached to a conventional tank and durabis and reliabie inemployment.

These and ancillary objects and other meritorious features are attainedby this invention,a preferred embodiment of which is set forth in thefollowing description and illustrated in the accompany ng drawings,wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical secticnal view of a conventionalliquid fuel tank, illustrat ing in section, the sediment removingattachment, constructed in accordance with the principles of thisinvention, with the inlet and outlet means for the chamber and tankbeing shown in elevation;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a combined liquid tank and sedimentremoving attachment, as shown in section in Figure 1; and,

Figure 3 is a ragmentary sectionai view of a modified form of valveclosure member for shutting off any communication between the tank andthe sedimentary chamber.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein similarcharacters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout, thereis shown a conventional liquid fuel tank HI, comprising a pair ofcomplementary longitudinal sections H! and M, each having a fianged 1ipportion i6, which are suitabiy joined together by welding, soldering orthe like to form the unitary tank H). A suitable fi1ling conduit or pipe[8 is provided, for admitting the fuel into the tank.

Suitably secured to the bottom of the tank, as shown in Figure 2 of thedrawings, is a sediment rernoving attachment, generally denoted by the.

charaoter reference 2, which in association with the liquid fuel tankcomprises the subject matter of this invention.

The sediment removing attachment 29 comprises a chamber 22, formed fromany suitable material and of any suitable size or shape. The chamoer 22preferably comprises a casing, including a body portion 24 substantiallysquare or circu1ar in cross section and having a nose or front portion26, preferably shaped in the form of a funnel with converging sidewalls, as seen in Figure 1 of the drawings. Rearwardly extending fromthe body portion 22 and slanting upwardly is a tail portion 23, which isangularly bent as at 36 adjacent the tank in and terminates in anangular extremity 32, which is suitably secured to the bottom of thecasing, as by welding, soldering or the like.

Suitably formed at the bottom portion of the tank Hi is a sedimentgravitation opening 34, which is aligned with the slanting end wall 28of the chamber 22.

Suitably secured within the funnel shaped nose portion 25 of the casing22 is a tubular hose or flexible pipe 3%, which terminates in an angularextremity 33. Suitable means are provided to retain the hose 36, whichis adapted to serve as an outlet for the chamber 24, in an inoperativeplacement and comprises a bracket arm as, having one end anguiarlytwisted and suitably seeured on the flange or bead I5, with theextending portion thereof suitably formed to serve as a hook, withinwhich the tube 36 is frictionally gripped and. he1d.

Means is provided for forcing or urging the sediment, which gravitatesfrom the tank J through the opening 3d, into the chamber 24, from thechamber 24 through the outlet hose 36. The means preferably providedcomprises compresscd air, which is forced through the inclined end wa1128 and forces the sediment through the chamber 2 1 and out the outlethose,

T convey the compressed air from a suitable source, not shown, to thechamber 24 a flexible tube 42 is provided, having one end suitablyinserted through an opening in the inclined wall 23, With the other endbracketed to the tank filling plate I8. Of course, a conventionalpressure valve 44 is provided at the bracketed extremity of the hose 42.

Suitable means is provided, responsive to the forced air, conveyedthrough the tube 42 into the chamber 24, to close ofl the gravitationopen ing 34 and prevent the expelling of the liquid from the tank il!through the outlet 36. The means preferred comprises a flexible valveplate 46, of any suitable yielding yet sturdy material, such as plastic,rubber or the like, having one end suitably inserted and retainedbetween the tank wall of the section [4 and the angular extension of theinclined side wall 28, with the inserted end of the flexible plate 46abutting the lateral extremity 32. The free or unattached portion of thevalve plate 46 is of a substantial length and Width to completely coverthe opening 3 and, when in an inoperativeposition; as seen in Figure 1of the drawings, the unattached extremity is adaptedto seat ontheinclined end wall 23 and suitably cover the air inlet openingtherein.

In operation, the sediment in the tank would gravitate into the chamber24 through the opening 34 and, vvhen'it is desired to expel the sedimenttherefrom, compressed air is forced through the valve 44, conductedthrough the tube 2 into the chamber 24. It is to be apparent that as theair enters through the opening the end wall 28, it forces the free endof the flexible valve plate46, against the tank wall and covers theopening 34. As long as the air 15 being forced into the chamber 2d, thevalve 46 will continue to shut ofi*the opening 34. 'Of course, theoutlet hose 38 would be unclipped from the bracket or hook 45, the bock463 serving to maintain the outlet tube in a raised position, so thatwhen the sediment is not being removed, the liquid which would freelycommunicate with the chamber 2 l would be prevented 'from fiowing out ofthe chamber.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is shown a modifiedform of valve closure, which comprises a hinged free closure plate 55,suitably hinged to asecured plate 52, Which is secured between theangular extremity of the inclined side wall 28 and the outer wall of thetank section l4. Of course, it is to be noted that the free orunattached plate 59 would be formed of a light metallic material or thelike, which would be reactive to the air pressure from the inlet 42.

Thus, it is to be seen. that there is provided a sediment removingattachment for a liquid tank, which not only provides a chamber forhousing the sediment but also provides a novel structure foryemployingcompressed air t0 expel or force the sediment from the chamber, with avalve opening communicating between the chamber and the tank andresponsive to the air pressure.

It is to be noted that the 'inlet and outlet tubes 36 and 42 may beformed from a rigid material, such as, aluminum or copper pipes, andthus the need forthe bracketing elements would be obviated, as the pipeswould be permanentl'y fixed in a placement, substantially as shown inFigure l.

However, since many other purposes and objects of this invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art, upon a perusal of eforegoing description, and in view of the accompanying drawings, it isto be understood 5 at certain changes may be effected thereon, as comingWithin the spirit of the invention and Within the scope of the appededclaims.

Havingdescribed the invention, what is claimed as new 15:

1. In combination with a liquid fuel tank a sediment removing attachmentcomprising a chamber secured to the bottom of the tank, the bottom ofthe tank being formed with a gravitation opening, a flexible outlet hoseattached to one and of said chamber, a bracket secured to the tank forretaining the hose in a raised inoperativ position, 3. forced air inlethose attached to the opposite end of said chamber for admittingcompressed air therein to force the sediment from the chamber throughthe outlet hose, a flexible valve carried by the bottom of said tankbetween the inlet and outlet openings in the chamber, said valve beingnormally un seated and responslve to the forced air for closing o1T thegravitation opening.

2. In combination with a liquid fuel tank, a sediment chamber secured tothe bottom wall thereof, said bottom wall poing formed With an openingcommunicating with the chamber, said chamber being formed withlongitudinally aligned inlet and outlet openings, a flexible valvesecured at one end to the bottom wall of the tank and normally havingits opposite end depending into the chamber between the inlet and outletopenings, conduit means connected to the inlet opening for admittingcompressed air into the chamber, said Valve being closed over the bottomwall opening responsive to said air pressure.

ALFRED FRDRIC DUCHESNEAU.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

